Billings Area

Indian Health Service Media Statement Regarding the Closure of the Indian Health Board of Billings

The Indian Health Board of Billings, a not-for-profit organization established to serve the Urban American Indian and Alaska Native population living in the city, metropolitan area of Billings, MT, is closed until further notice.

All medical records are safe and secure. Previous patients of the Indian Health Board of Billings are able to request a copy of their medical records between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the IHS Billings Area Office, 2900 4th Avenue North, OQM 4th Floor, Billings, Montana. Be prepared to bring a government-issued photo identification to enter the federal building and to complete a release for information. You may also have your provider fax a release request to 406-247-7159. Please allow 5 business days to complete the in-person or faxed request.

American Indians and Alaska Natives who are eligible for health care through the Indian health system are encouraged to seek care from nearby IHS federal-government-operated facilities at Pryor Health Station in Pryor and Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital on the Crow Agency.

American Indians and Alaska Natives are also encouraged to seek care from RiverStone Health, located at 123 South 27th Street in Billings. Contact RiverStone Health on their scheduling line at 406-247-3350. Those with a medical emergency should dial 911.

The phone number for the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital is 406-638-3500 and the Pryor Health Station phone number is 406-259-8238. Transportation between Billings and Crow Agency and Pryor is available through Crow Nation Transit with schedules and information available at their Facebook page or by calling 406-638-2430.

The Billings Area Indian Health Service (IHS) provides Public Health, Environmental Health, Health care services and community-based disease prevention services to more than 70,000 American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people in Montana and Wyoming. These services are delivered through six IHS-operated Service Units, two tribally-operated health departments, and five Urban Indian health programs, administratively supported by a regional office located in downtown Billings, Montana. Our mission is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of AI/AN to the highest level possible. We are committed to accomplishing this through strong partnerships with Montana and Wyoming Tribal Leadership and other health care partners serving the AI/AN population in these two States.

The Billings Area IHS continually strives for quality health care services through federally and tribally-administered Service Units and programs, which are accredited by the Joint Commission for our hospitals, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care for our free-standing ambulatory facilities, or, as an alternative through certification by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for meeting Medicare Hospital Quality Standards, often referred to as Conditions of Participation. We focus on quality of care standards through the Governing Boards responsible for the operations of each of our health care facilities.

Tribal Governments have authorities available to them under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, to directly administer IHS health programs and services through tribally-established programs, taking over those programs and services administered by the IHS. The Billings Area IHS is fully committed to supporting Tribes when these authorities are activated, and strives to maintain strong ongoing relationships with Tribes.

The Billings Area IHS is committed to building strong partnerships with Tribal Governments, Tribal Communities, and Indian people residing in the Billings Area service delivery area; Montana and Wyoming. Often working through formal consultation processes coordinated by the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council and meetings with Tribal Councils and Tribal Leaders at the local level, the Billings Area is joining together to improve the health status of our patients and members of our Tribal Communities.

The committed and dedicated staff of the Billings Area strives daily to improve the quality of health care delivery, and to increase access to health care services. Supporting our staff efforts, the Billings Area Leadership strives to be accessible and responsive to those we serve, our Tribal Leaders, and collaborating health care partners.